Fallen Heroes

3-61 Cavalry, 4th BCT, 4th ID

The 13-hour battle to re-take Combat Outpost Keating from an assault by 300 Taliban fighters on Oct. 3, 2009, was a team effort. Eight members of the team perished that day. This site is dedicated to the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice - Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, Sgt. Christopher T. Griffin, Sgt. Joshua Mitchell Hardt, Sgt. Joshua John Kirk, Pfc. Stephan Lee Mace, Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, and Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson.

    Staff Sergeant Justin Gallegos

    Sgt. Justin Timothy Gallegos

    Posthumously promoted to Staff Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos

    • Silver Star
    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart (3 awards)
    • Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
    Sergeant Christopher Griffin

    Spc. Christopher Todd Griffin

    Posthumously promoted to Sgt. Christopher T. Griffin

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal
    • Army Achievement Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Korean Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
    Sergeant Joshua Hardt

    Sgt. Joshua Mitchell Hardt

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Achievement Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
    Sergeant Joshua Kirk

    Sgt. Joshua John Kirk

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal
    • Army Achievement Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Ribbon
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal (2 awards)
    • Combat Action Badge
    Specialist Stephan Mace

    Spc. Stephan Lee Mace

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
    Staff Sergeant Vernon Martin

    Sgt. Vernon William Martin

    Posthumously promoted to Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal with V device
    • Army Achievement Medal (2 awards)
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Korean Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
    Sergeant Michael Scusa

    Spc. Michael Patrick Scusa

    Posthumously promoted to Sgt. Michael P. Scusa

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards)
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Action Badge
    Private First Class Kevin Thomson

    Pfc. Kevin Christopher Thomson

    • Bronze Star
    • Purple Heart
    • Army Commendation Medal with V device
    • Army Good Conduct Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star
    • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
    • Army Service Ribbon
    • Overseas Service Ribbon
    • NATO Medal
    • Combat Infantryman Badge